NFA wrestler Cheeks is eager to state his case

The chants began as Newburgh Free Academy's Terrence Cheeks completed a roll away from his opponent.

Sal Interdonato

The chants began as Newburgh Free Academy's Terrence Cheeks completed a roll away from his opponent.

Teammates started with, "Cheeeeks ... Cheeeeks ... Cheeeeks." Section 9 wrestlers and fans joined in at the Mid-Hudson tournament in Freedom Plains.

It's become a familiar routine.

"I hear it before the match, during the match and after the match," said Cheeks, a senior who competes in the 285-pound weight class. "Most of the time whether I win or lose ... I love it. It's good to know that I have a lot of people behind me, supporting me. It feels good."

Cheeks is one of Section 9's most popular wrestlers. For four seasons, Cheeks, who is 5-foot-8 and 270 pounds, has gone about his business on the mat the right way — with hard work.

He's earned respect from teammates, coaches and parents. One mother from another Section 9 team said, "I love that kid," while following Cheeks' results at the Eastern States Classic this past weekend at SUNY Sullivan.

"He's such a friendly kid with everybody," said Newburgh Free Academy coach Chris Leggett. "He's just a likable type of kid. He's always had that personality. Everyone has taken a liking to him no matter where we have wrestled."

But there are a few people who "look at him funny" because of where he's from, according to Cheeks. Cheeks lives in the city of Newburgh, where the crime rate is among the highest in the country. Four street-style shootings occurred in 2012. Newburgh was ranked No. 9 in a list of the country's most violent cities by neighborhoodscout.com

"They are scared," Cheeks said of some opponents. "You have to get to know somebody."

Cheeks has seen kids his age go to jail. Wrestling has kept Cheeks grounded and away from trouble.

"Drinking and smoking weed and all that," Cheeks said. "I just have wrestling and that other stuff is not for me. ... It's all around you in Newburgh. It's not really in a specific spot. It's everywhere. You just hear more about it in the city of Newburgh, but it's everywhere."

Wrestling is Cheeks' passion, his escape.

Cheeks, a two-year captain, is Newburgh's leader. Younger wrestlers look up to Cheeks and his work ethic.

"They see me working hard and hopefully it will motivate them to work hard," Cheeks said. "It's contagious."

Cheeks has placed third in the section the past two seasons behind Ethan Stanley of Saugerties and Kingston's Seth Stauble, both of whom have graduated.

Cheeks feels it's his time now. His goals go beyond winning his first section title. He wants to be Newburgh's second state champion. Al Favata won Newburgh's only state title in 1968.

"I wish I was still undefeated," said Cheeks, who is 31-3 this season. "But the losses just motivate me to get to the bigger goal of my career."

Wrestling could be his ticket out of Newburgh.

When Leggett asked Cheeks what colleges he's interested in, he mentioned New York University, a top academic school that has a Division III wrestling team.

Cheeks is building the credentials to impress college coaches. He took fifth at the Eastern States Classic this past weekend, becoming the second Newburgh Free Academy wrestler to place in the last three years. Cheeks' 103 career wins are the most by a Newburgh super heavyweight. Two of Cheeks' three losses this season have come to Yorktown's David Varian, a Section 1 champion last year, by a total of three points.

"He knows that will be his avenue to college," Leggett said. "Even though he's a good student, the wrestling will certainly help his cause to get into school somewhere."

Wrestling in college is "a big priority in my life," Cheeks said. "That's what I am working for."